Turn the Tables

How does a fainting spell on your first job lead to a lifelong commitment to a culinary career? 

In this episode of Turn The Tables, host Debbie Yong explores this intriguing journey with Tamara Chavez. Tamara reflects on how a kitchen accident during her childhood in Mexico City ignited her passion for cooking and her leap of faith in uprooting her life and move to Singapore without speaking a world of English.

She candidly discusses the challenges of navigating a male-dominated industry, and how she overcame them to become a successful restaurateur, co-running Peruvian restaurant Canchita and Spanish restaurant Tinto with her husband, Daniel. Tamara also shares her thoughts on mentorship, breaking gender stereotypes, and creating a supportive team environment.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

02:04 Early Influences and Family Background

03:46 Challenges and Triumphs in the Culinary World

09:57 A Life-Changing Move to Singapore

12:09 Finding Support and Building a New Life

16:43 Opportunities and Risks: The Peruvian Connection

19:26 Living in Peru: A Cultural Awakening

20:36 Opening a Restaurant: Challenges and Triumphs

21:31 Mentorship and Growth: A Turning Point

23:20 Exploring Global Cuisines

24:26 Being a Female Chef in a Male-Dominated Industry

28:25 Building and Leading a Diverse Team

34:53 Balancing Work and Personal Life

37:41 A Vision for the Future

Don’t miss out on more inspiring stories from trailblazing female leaders in Asia's hospitality scene — visit us at www.weturnthetables.com to join our vibrant community and share your suggestions for future guests on this podcast series. Your input helps us spotlight the incredible women shaping the industry. We look forward to hearing from you!

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What does it feel like when you're breaking new ground as you turn your dreams to reality? 

In this episode of Turn The Tables, host Debbie Yong speaks with Jamie Koh, the visionary entrepreneur behind Brass Lion Distillery and Chupitos in Singapore. Jamie takes us through her adventurous journey — from launching her first bar in Clarke Quay after winning a competition, to developing The Beast, a Southern comfort food haven, and finally, establishing Singapore’s very first local distillery after eight years of navigating red tape.

She shares the highs and lows of her path, her passion for pioneering unique concepts, and the perseverance required to succeed. Plus, Jamie opens up about building a female-dominated team at Brass Lion and her distinctive leadership style.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:33 Entering the F&B Industry

02:14 The Birth and Evolution of Chupitos

04:20 The Beast: Southern Comfort Food in Singapore

05:27 Brass Lion Distillery: A Singaporean Spirit

07:31 Challenges and Triumphs in Distilling

14:31 Building a Strong Female Team

17:26 Leadership and Vision

21:34 Future Plans and World Domination

Don’t miss out on more inspiring stories from trailblazing female leaders in Asia's hospitality scene — visit us at www.weturnthetables.com to join our vibrant community and share your suggestions for future guests on this podcast series. Your input helps us spotlight the incredible women shaping the industry. We look forward to hearing from you!

Featured speakers:

Ever wondered how to strike the perfect balance between creativity and business acumen?

In this episode of Turn The Tables, host Debbie Yong speaks with renowned Singaporean chocolatier, pastry chef, and entrepreneur Janice Wong. Janice recounts her journey from discovering the nuances of cheese-making to creating a pastry empire with ventures such as 2am: Dessert Bar, Soft Haus, and the Pure Imagination chocolate brand. The conversation delves into her passion for education, her efforts to grow cocoa in urban Singapore, and her focus on sustainability.

Janice also discusses her inclusive leadership style, the importance of positivity and growth in her team and the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tune in to learn how she blends creative vision with practical business strategies and her hopes for nurturing community in the F&B industry.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:53 Janice's Journey into the Culinary World

03:03 Building a Pastry Empire

03:41 The Quest for Made In Singapore Chocolate

05:26 Challenges and Innovations

13:14 Leadership and Team Dynamics

16:09 Balancing Creativity and Business

21:58 Future Plans and Reflections

Don’t miss out on more inspiring stories from trailblazing female leaders in Asia's hospitality scene — visit us at www.weturnthetables.com to join our vibrant community and share your suggestions for future guests on this podcast series. Your input helps us spotlight the incredible women shaping the industry. We look forward to hearing from you!

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What’s the secret recipe for turning brands into household names that command hours-long queues? 

In this episode of Turn The Tables, host Debbie Yong sits down for this very rare chat with Joanne Ho, the dynamic founder of Brand Cellar, one of Singapore’s top consumer PR firms.

Joanne reveals how she transformed from an accountant into a PR powerhouse, building a successful agency that elevates F&B and lifestyle brands to stardom. She shares her strategies for generating buzz, achieving lasting success, and rejuvenating brands.

Joanne also opens up about her team dynamics, leadership philosophy, and how she balances work and life, showing how her positive attitude and generosity are key ingredients in her ongoing success.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

02:18 Joanne's Journey: From Accounting to PR

02:58 The Tim Ho Wan Success Story

04:03 Creating Buzz: The Secret to Long Queues

05:12 Innovative PR Strategies and Collaborations

09:09 Travel Inspirations and Creative Ideas

14:43 Evolving Media Landscape and Marketing Strategies

16:19 Building Towards Peaks and Sustaining Success

16:46 The Importance of the Four Ps

17:50 Team Dynamics and Leadership Vision

18:28 The Role of a Cheerleader-Leader

18:43 Retirement Plans and Lifelong Contributions

20:10 Empowering Employees and Sharing Success

22:08 The Value of Honesty and Karma in Business

24:35 Navigating Failures and COVID Challenges

27:39 Balancing Work and Family as a Female Leader

30:44 Management Style and Positive Encouragement

31:04 Advice to Aspiring Leaders

Don’t miss out on more inspiring stories from trailblazing female leaders in Asia's hospitality scene — visit us at www.weturnthetables.com to join our vibrant community and share your suggestions for future guests on this podcast series. Your input helps us spotlight the incredible women shaping the industry. We look forward to hearing from you!

Featured speakers:

How can one transform failures to triumph for an enduring career in hospitality?

In this episode of Turn The Tables, host Debbie Yong chats with Alysia Chan, an outspoken chef in Singapore's culinary scene with an illustrious career spanning multiple renowned restaurants, including pioneering nose-to-tail restaurant Wolf to her current role at Singapore restaurant group, Ebb & Flow.

Alysia reveals how her journey shifted from struggling in accounting to discovering her love for cooking at a sandwich deli. She dives into the harsh realities of the industry — its physical and mental demands — and discusses her advocacy for mental health, gender equality, and improved working conditions.

Listen in for Alysia’s powerful story of transformation and her vision for a more equitable future in hospitality.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:38 From Sandwich Deli to Culinary School

04:27 Climbing the Culinary Ladder

06:34 Passion for Nose-to-Tail Dining

07:11 Pursuing Butchery and Career Highlights

09:28 Current Role and Responsibilities

10:50 Challenges in the F&B Industry

12:59 Mental Health and Addiction in Hospitality

15:47 Addressing Sexual Harassment in Kitchens

20:39 The Importance of Female Leadership

31:06 Vision for a Sustainable Culinary Industry

Don’t miss out on more inspiring stories from trailblazing female leaders in Asia's hospitality scene — visit us at www.weturnthetables.com to join our vibrant community and share your suggestions for future guests on this podcast series. Your input helps us spotlight the incredible women shaping the industry. We look forward to hearing from you!

Featured speakers:

What does it take to go from a small town in the Philippines to leading a top restaurant in Singapore?

In our first episode of Turn The Tables, host Debbie Yong chats with Johanne Siy, the dynamic head chef of Lolla, a modern Mediterranean small plates restaurant on Singapore’s Ann Siang Hill.

Johanne opens up about her incredible journey through some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, like Noma, Faviken and Le Bernardin, and her recent accolade as Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2023.

She shares the highs and lows of being a female chef, the role of self-confidence in leadership, and her dedication to mentoring the next generation. Johanne also talks about the impact of societal expectations on female chefs in Asia and her vision for increasing female representation in the industry.

(00:00) Introduction and Welcome

(01:05) From the Philippines to Singapore

(02:25) Johanne's Childhood and Early Influences

(03:29) Discovering a Passion for Cooking

(04:29) Transitioning from Corporate to a Culinary Career

(06:38) Challenges and Triumphs in Culinary School

(11:04) Working with Renowned Chefs

(15:28) The Importance of Mentorship and Leadership

(21:29) Future of Women in the Culinary Industry

Don’t miss out on more inspiring stories from trailblazing female leaders in Asia's hospitality scene — visit us at www.weturnthetables.com to join our vibrant community and share your suggestions for future guests on this podcast series. Your input helps us spotlight the incredible women shaping the industry. We look forward to hearing from you!

Featured speakers: